The benefits of Krion® K·Life in hospital atmospheres
Although any space, which is in contact with people has to have certain hygiene and safety conditions, there are some places where health standards have to be extremely high indeed. We are talking about sanitary spaces, where every single detail which may affect the hygiene of the space is taken... into account. Whether they are clinics, hospitals, medical consultations or beauty salons; healthcare atmospheres need to bank on materials, tools and protocols which ensure bacteria-free spaces with no contaminants. The ease of contagion, along with the susceptibility of the people that go to a medical centre, results in stronger measures being taken. Thus, businessmen, architects and interior designers are increasingly banking on those solutions which enhance safety for people. Because of the need of becoming familiarised with the materials which benefit the atmospheres related to health, Hospitecnia, the prestigious architecture, engineering and hospital management website has published an article about Krion® K·Life 1100 and how the material creates better hospital atmospheres. The benefits of Krion® K·Life in Healthcare spaces The main requirement for a material to be used in public spaces is that of having been given a number of certifications by independent organizations which ensure the safety of the facilities and people alike. Krion counts on the EPD (Environmental Product Declaration): with the ecolabel type III which focuses on the impact studies during the whole service life of the material, detailing the impact which is produced in each stage of the service life. Among the huge number of benefits of Krion® K·Life 1100 for the health sector, professionals highlight the following: Bacteriostatic surface: Krion® does not allow bacteria to spread, something which is extremely important in an environment where the infection probabilities are very high. Easy-to-clean properties: Its almost zero porosity means Krion® stops dirt and contaminants getting into the material. The lack of joints is also helpful for easy cleaning since there are no hard-to-reach areas where dirt can build up. Resistance to chemicals: Health spaces have to ensure that the hygiene in the place is absolute by all means.This is the reason why materials with aggressive compounds which disinfect and kill bacteria are generally used. Krion® is resistant to these types of materials, therefore, the integrity of the surface and the durability are guaranteed. The ability to customise: In hospital centres, covering the needs which ensure the wellbeing of people is paramount. The thermoforming properties by our solid surface help with its adaption to the environment, based on the established professional requirements. The Krion® solid surface brings together the most important properties from our clients point of view, but, Krion® K·LIFE 1100, these benefits have significantly increased, up to the point where they make the environment better for people, something which is essential in any atmosphere. Read more
Krion™ Colors, a universe of colours for your solid surface
Krion™ Colors offers a universe full of colours and tones in a multitude of formats to create unique projects — such as kitchens, bathrooms or wall surfaces — that are bursting with life and are primed for other materials and decorative elements. One of the great... advantages of Krion™ solid surface sheets is that they retain their colour and durability over time, as their mineral composition allows them to stand up to blows and cracking. This characteristic keeps the solid surface sheets unchanged from day one. In addition, Krion™ solid colours come in multiple finishes, including high gloss, satin, matte and sandy, depending on the aesthetic needs of the space. Lastly, solid surface sheets can be pieced together with no visible joins to bring continuity to the design. Now you know why Krion Colors are setting the trend, delighting architects and interior designers and offering endless possibilities in interior design. Series and colours Snow Series Material composed of top-quality mineral fillers and acrylic resins. Snow White by Krion is the ideal solution for any design project, including the kitchen or bathroom. Its pure white colour can be fully integrated with any other decorative material to generate a space full of elegance and light. The Krion K·Life collection is created with KEAST technology, which uses photocatalysis to endow the material with a range of new properties, and is only available in the Snow White colour series. Colors Series The Colors Series range is characterised by soft pastel colours that are perfect for warmer and welcoming spaces where you can relax and feel at ease. Colors + Series If there is anything that sets the Colors + Series apart, it's certainly its vitality. Choose from a wide range of colours to develop cosmopolitan and daring projects that are full of personality, permeating rooms like kitchens and bathrooms with colour and freshness through solid surface worktops. Light Series This series is characterised by its bright, fresh and gentle tones that create welcoming and comfortable spaces. Since it is a translucent material that lets light pass through, it is ideal for decorating straight or curved backlit surfaces. Nature Series An ecological series inspired by nature and distinguished by the Eco-Cycle® seal. Its solid surface sheets are manufactured in large part with recycled Krion™ for a sustainable and top-quality design. Its range of colours offers a very natural touch for pleasant and eye-catching spaces. Star Series The quintessential series that shines bright thanks to microparticles full of reflective metallic details. Its light base tones will bring peace and serenity to your decorative designs and generate beautiful hues with a shiny effect. Royal Series If you want your workspaces to have the appearance of natural stone, Royal Series is your choice. Its range of natural colours created using crystalline particles offers continuity and homogeneity by eliminating joints — ideal for sanitary applications with trim and curved corners. Enjoy all the above alongside the range of properties provided by Krion Solid Surface. Asteroid Series A classic yet daring series for projects with a unique style. The solid surface sheets are composed of particles that produce a sense of disorder while contributing harmony to the surface through different colours. Royal + Series Royal + Series sheets represent the pure essence of natural minerals. This is our most innovative series thanks to its metallic and transparent particles, making it perfect for designing working surfaces, like kitchen countertops, and giving it a look similar to natural stone. All this comes in addition to the properties of Krion Solid Surface, where continuity and homogeneity take centre stage by eliminating joints — ideal for sanitary applications with trim and curved corners. Its wide variety of colours and different finishes bring a natural feel to the space. Terrazzo Series A series inspired by timeless terrazo but adapted to the latest design trends. Give a classic yet daring touch to your spaces with Terrazo Series solid surface, featuring a wide range of colours that combine perfectly with other materials. Luxury Series Sophistication and elegance go hand-in-hand with the Luxury Series, offering a range of colours inspired by natural stone that are full of natural beauty and are perfect for creating refined and cosmopolitan spaces. All while guaranteeing the benefits offered by Krion Solid Surface. Art Veins Series Inspired by natural stone, the Art Veins Series is perfect for creating elegant spaces thanks to its subtle, defined lines that are full of character. Its curated colours feature small particles that bring a sense of depth for a bold, modern design that is ideal for workspaces and other surfaces. Opale Series An original series inspired by marble that will bestow movement and light on your decorative projects thanks to bright and intense steaks that simulate the flow of water. Discover how its backlighting produces new lines and shapes that will bring life and texture to your space. Materia Series This series is perfect for creating joint-free surfaces that enliven the decorative space with texture and continuity. Choose the Materia Series solid surface to satisfy the latest demands of interior design and architecture, always with the maximum guarantee of the technical features offered by Krion. Browse our catalogue to take a more detailed look at the infinite possibilities offered by Krion Colors when designing your projects. Read more
How do viruses behave on a Krion™ surface?
Up to now, at Krion we have had first-hand knowledge of how bacteria acted on Krion™ surfaces, which are non-porous, have no visible joins and can form curved edging to make maintenance easier. However, current circumstances call for special attention to the behaviour of viruses, to... respond to the queries submitted by our associates regarding the infectivity of viruses on Krion™ surfaces. The study was carried out by the Virology Research Services Ltd. laboratory in the United Kingdom, using the FID50 counting system, on a Krion™ surface. During the study, an inert plastic surface of the type commonly installed in health centres was used for comparison. Two types of safe virus were chosen for this scientific study. The first was the HCoV-NL63 coronavirus, which belongs to the SARS-CoV-2 family. It affects humans but is not lethal. The second was another potentially dangerous virus, Influenza A, which causes common flu and has a great impact on society during the year. Conduct of the study The Virology Research Services Ltd. laboratory was responsible for depositing the non-lethal human coronavirus HCoV-NL63 and the Influenza A virus on an untreated Krion™ Snow White 1100 surface and on a plastic surface for comparison, following the modified ISO 21702 standard. The Virology Research Services Ltd. laboratory. The infectivity of the HCoV-NL63 coronavirus was 82.22% lower 24 hours after coming into contact with a Krion™ surface, while in the case of plastic the reduction was 55.28% over the same period of time. After 48 hours, infectivity was 97.25% lower, compared with 98.45% for plastic, and after 72 hours it was 98.22% lower, compared to 98.45% for a plastic surface. There was an 88.75% reduction in the activity of the Influenza A virus during the first 2 hours of contact with a Krion™ surface, whereas the reduction on a plastic surface over the same period was 18.44%. After 24 hours, the presence of the virus on the Krion™ surface was reduced by 99.73% compared to 99.97% on plastic and after 48 hours it had decreased by 99.98% compared to 99.99% for plastic. Results of the study by The Virology Research Services Ltd. laboratory. We may conclude that the reduction in infectivity of both viruses on a Krion™ surface indicates a lower likelihood of infection. Krion urges everyone to follow the health and safety recommendations issued in the current pandemic to prevent the spread of infection. Krion™ Solid Surface: resistance and safety The most advanced mineral compact on the market is synonymous with resistance and safety thanks to its ability to withstand impacts and solar radiation. It is also non-porous, with imperceptible joins, maximising hygiene and preventing the proliferation of bacteria. Krion offers excellent mechanical properties and aesthetic qualities, always following the latest design trends, making it the ideal solid surface for any type of project, whether residential or in the hotel and catering sectors. Read more
KRION Shell™, sustainable shower trays
At Krion Porcelanosa Group, we strongly believe in minimising the use of resources by opting for recycled materials to manufacture new products, something we call “Sustainable Awareness”. This is the case for Krion Shell™, a strong and sustainable material. The structural... body is made of dolomite, a natural mineral, along with recycled PET-derived bioresin. It also has a strong and homogeneous external layer made of alumina trihydrate and resin. Without a doubt, the materials used to manufacture our washbasins, bathroom countertops and sustainable shower trays represent an absolute revolution in bathroom design, whilst remaining attractive and functional. VÍDEO Eco-friendly shower trays The different models of Krion Shell™ sustainable shower trays stand out for their modern and innovative appearance, whilst also bringing both hygiene and safety to the bathroom. Their green design makes them an exclusive and unique product, ideally suited to creating totally sustainable and customised spaces. For example, the amount of recycled PET in a Slope shower tray measuring 150 cm x 90 cm is equivalent to 380 plastic bottles. It also has sound-absorbing properties, to help create a calm and relaxing atmosphere. FOTO Thanks to its production process, Krion Shell™ is available in a broad range of colours without losing any benefits, in White, Taupe, Graphite, Grey and Beige, in both a gloss and matte finish. It also comes in different textures - Rock, Concrete and Silk - adding a touch of design and personality to the shower tray depending on your personal preferences and needs. FOTO Certifications: safe and sustainable products Krion Shell™’s commitment to the environment and its concern regarding improving people’s quality of life have made it a safe and sustainable product, endorsed with various certifications. This includes a certification from SCS Global Service, a leading independent North American environmental certification company, which verifies and guarantees that all certified Krion Shell™ products contain a minimum of 5% recycled product waste in their total composition, advocating more sustainable and environmentally friendly production. LOGO CERTIFICADO Krion Porcelanosa Group has also conducted different external tests at the Valencian Institute for Microbiology (IVAMI) to verify that Krion Shell™, and the by-products deriving from it, are environmentally inert, not affecting the possible accidental release into the environment and also responding to increasing societal demand. These tests guarantee that the material is harmless for living organisms, including those on land and in aquatic ecosystems. Finally, here are some other certifications which have recognised Krion Shell™ in terms of safety: FOTO CERTIFICADOS Certificate awarded by the Greenguard Environmental Institute. This guarantees that Krion Shell™ complies with indoor air quality standards in terms of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). REACH standards govern chemical products which are manufactured or included as substances in blends and finished products on the EU market. Its main objective is to guarantee a high level of human health and environmental protection. KRION demonstrates compliance with REACH standards through a certificate issued by an external laboratory. The CE mark indicates that all Krion Shell® products comply with the quality and safety criteria required by the European Union, supported by Directive 93/68/EEC and governed by standards applicable to each product. The CSA label granted by the CSA Group (Canadian Standards Association) indicates that the product has been tested and certified independently to comply with quality and safety standards required in the United States and Canada, in accordance with CSA B45.5/ IAPMO Z124 and IAPMO/ANSI Z124.8. The cUPC label granted by IAPMO (International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials) indicates that the product has been tested and certified independently to comply with quality and safety standards required in the United States and Canada, in accordance with CSA B45.5/ IAPMO Z124 and IAPMO/ANSI Z124.8. Read more
